Republican Party to hold three candidate forums

From staff reports

Published: Friday, March 14, 2014 at 6:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 14, 2014 at 6:43 p.m.

The Henderson County Republican Party, in conjunction with the Henderson County Republican Men’s and Women’s Clubs, will host a series of forums/debates for the Republican primary candidates for sheriff, register of deeds, House District 117, and the county commissioner primaries.

The first debate will be held from 7-9 p.m. April 3 at the Opportunity House on Asheville Highway in Hendersonville. This forum/debate will feature candidates for sheriff. Candidates are incumbent Sheriff Charles McDonald, Fletcher Police Chief Erik Summy and State Trooper Michael Brown. Incumbent Commissioner Mike Edney will appear at this debate due to a scheduling conflict with another April forum/debate.

The second event will occur from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at the Opportunity House and feature candidates for register of deeds. Candidates are former county commissioner and school board member Shannon Baldwin, William King and Evona Kilpatrick. The second hour will feature a forum/debate for House District 117, featuring incumbent House Rep. Charles McGrady and challenger Ronnie Edwards.

The third event will be held at the same location from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 17, featuring candidates for county commissioner District 4: incumbent Tommy Thompson and Sheriff’s Office Lt. Tim Griffin. District 1 will feature former Henderson County Republican Party Chairman Andrew Riddle and Albert Corn. District 3 will consist of incumbent Commissioner Larry Young and William Lapsley.

Candidates will give one-minute introductions, followed by questions solicited by the audience and presented by the moderator. All Registered Republicans eligible to vote in the primary are encouraged to attend.

<p>The Henderson County Republican Party, in conjunction with the Henderson County Republican Men's and Women's Clubs, will host a series of forums/debates for the Republican primary candidates for sheriff, register of deeds, House District 117, and the county commissioner primaries.</p><p>The first debate will be held from 7-9 p.m. April 3 at the Opportunity House on Asheville Highway in Hendersonville. This forum/debate will feature candidates for sheriff. Candidates are incumbent Sheriff Charles McDonald, Fletcher Police Chief Erik Summy and State Trooper Michael Brown. Incumbent Commissioner Mike Edney will appear at this debate due to a scheduling conflict with another April forum/debate.</p><p>The second event will occur from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at the Opportunity House and feature candidates for register of deeds. Candidates are former county commissioner and school board member Shannon Baldwin, William King and Evona Kilpatrick. The second hour will feature a forum/debate for House District 117, featuring incumbent House Rep. Charles McGrady and challenger Ronnie Edwards.</p><p>The third event will be held at the same location from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, April 17, featuring candidates for county commissioner District 4: incumbent Tommy Thompson and Sheriff's Office Lt. Tim Griffin. District 1 will feature former Henderson County Republican Party Chairman Andrew Riddle and Albert Corn. District 3 will consist of incumbent Commissioner Larry Young and William Lapsley.</p><p>Candidates will give one-minute introductions, followed by questions solicited by the audience and presented by the moderator. All Registered Republicans eligible to vote in the primary are encouraged to attend.</p>